Analysis of Habitat Quality Changes and Influencing Factors of the Largest Artificial Lake in China
Year: 2025
Type: preprint
Abstract: Danjiangkou Reservoir is the largest artificial freshwater lake in China and also serves as the water source area for the Middle Route of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project (SNWDP-MR). The land use change characteristics, habitat quality levels, and their driving factors during 2000 – 2020 in the water source area were analyzed by the PLUS model, InVEST model, and local spatial autocorrelation method, with multi-scenario simulations predicting habitat quality spatial patterns for 2040. Results demonstrated that the land use types predominantly feature forest and grassland, and the mean habitat quality fluctuated between 0.6646 and 0.6724 during 2000 – 2020, with extensive distribution of high-quality habitats (Class Ⅰ and Ⅱ). Local spatial autocorrelation analysis revealed an overall improvement trend in habitat quality without significant degradation. Land use modifications, driven by natural factors (precipitation, annual mean temperature, slope, and topography) and anthropogenic influences (transportation networks and administrative centers), directly influenced regional habitat quality variations. Scenario simulations projected the highest mean habitat quality index (0.6735) under ecological protection scenarios, showed minimal difference from the natural change scenario (0.6722), but contrasting with the lowest value in urban development scenarios (0.6617). These findings emphasize that respecting the natural development laws and implementing appropriate environmental policies effectively enhance habitat quality. Through analysis of the evolution of habitat quality in water sources area, this research provided theoretical foundations for promoting sustainable development and scientifically informed land management practices.
Authors: Zhanfei Zhang, Tianqi Rong, Ruohui Li, Jie Gao, Xiao Zhou, Asim Shahzad, Amina Ameer, Min Zhou, Yang Wang, Mingzhou Qin
Institution: Henan University
Language: English
Subfield: Global and Planetary Change
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
OpenAlex ID: W4415104773
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